Quiz: Howstuffworks

Pop Quiz: Common Phrases

Olivia Cantor

When someone "gets cold feet," what happens?

They slip.

Feelings of doubt or fear sink in.

Electrocution or grounded

Betrayal by being stabbed in the back

To "get cold feet" means to suddenly feel doubtful or fearful of something, usually when someone is about to do something, then retreats from doing so. It's like a movement toward retreating, or the feet are symbolically frozen to inaction.

To "kiss and make up" suggests the occurrence of which action beforehand?

A fight

Sleeping

A shower or bath

A soiree

"To kiss and make up" is what two people can do after a fight​ if they want to reconcile and be at peace with each other. It's a way of suggesting that they should settle whatever conflict or disagreement they have.

If a person "kicked the bucket," what happened?

The person is very angry

The person died

The person lost a shoe

The person was robbed

When someone is said to have "kicked the bucket," it means the person died. It's interesting to relate this common phrase to another death-themed one: "bucket list," which pertains to someone's "to-do list" and the goal of accomplishing everything on the list before dying.

What's the process that information undergoes if it's spread "by word of mouth"?

Someone hosts an FB watch party

Lovers spread it together

It is announced over an intercom system in a dining hall.

A person tells another person, and the person tells another person, and so on

When a piece of information is passed on from person to person, that indicates being passed on "by word of mouth." This often has a positive connotation because to pass on information in this informal manner, is like passing on a personal recommendation, like making a testimonial.

"Amateur hour" signifies what kind of quality?

A priceless one

An excellent one

A poor one

A strong one

"Amateur hour" pertains to anything done by people who lack skills or talent in a certain domain, or its execution is very poor and unprofessional. This term may have originated in the broadcast industry where certain U.S. radio shows would hold an "amateur hour" to air non-professional performers.

To be the "apple of my eye," what feeling should I have for you?

A little bit of anxiety

Total disgust

Extreme fondness

Camaraderie

When you are the "apple of my eye," it means you are much appreciated and treated as a favorite. People use this term to refer to those they are extremely fond of, and not necessarily in a romantic way.

When someone advises you to not "reinvent the wheel," what are they saying?

Don't waste time.

Don't drive a car.

Don't go to the park.

Don't buy a used car.

To "reinvent the wheel" signifies a rather futile effort, since it means trying to do something that has already been done, or trying to improve upon something that doesn't really need improving. In both circumstances, the result is a waste of effort, time, and resources.

If you "toot your own horn," what are you doing?

Looking for a mistress

Driving a trailer truck

Bragging about your achievements

Monitoring livestock

When you "toot your own horn," i​t means you're bragging about your achievements or honors, or whatever it is that you think merits bragging about. To be proud of an achievement is one thing, but to brag about it is another, and that's more negatively received.

He's "dressed up to the nines!" Do you know what that means?

Made reservations a little too late

Late for a dinner date

Wearing very formal or flamboyant clothes

Didn't wake up

To be very well-dressed in a rather formal way, to the point of being flamboyant at times, is what it means to be "dressed up to the nines." A related common phrase is being "dressed to kill," which also means to dress up in a stylish or elegant manner, or to be very fashionable.

A "weekend warrior" does what?

Works overtime during the weekend

Sleeps the entire weekend

Does certain activities (like sports) only during their free time, not on a regular basis

Works on a second or third job during the weekend

A "weekend warrior" is someone who works during the weekdays, and makes a conscious decision to do other non-work-related fun activities during the weekends. Often, a weekend warrior's choice of activities includes sports or working out, and they pay the price with injury or soreness the following week!

"It's my way or the ________!" Can you fill in the blank?

Runway

Subway

Airway

Highway

To say "my way or the highway" to someone is usually associated with negative behavior, wherein someone convinces another to just follow, or else leave. It's also the same as saying "take it or leave it," and the choices leave no middle ground for negotiation.

The common phrase attributed to a leopard has something to do with its unchanging "characteristic." Can you guess what that is?

Fangs

Spots

Whiskers

Tail

If someone uses the phrase, "a leopard cannot change its spots," on someone else, it means the person is incapable of changing their behavior, attitude or values. Their inflexibility is associated with a leopard's inability to change its spots, also suggesting the idea of being stubborn or rigid.

Following something "to the letter" means what?

Teaching the alphabet

Stalking the mailman

Executing each and every detail

Reading the newspaper closely

When a person is given a set of instructions or rules and is said to have followed them all "to the letter," it means the person paid much attention to executing each and every detail of those instructions or rules. It suggests that the finished task or end result was very precise and accurate.

When you're "waiting in the wings," what exactly are you doing?

About to board a flight

Eating bar food alone

Waiting for your big opportunity or chance to take place

Feeling unrequited love for someone

Performers or athletes who are "waiting in the wings" are those who are next in line to the major players, often relegated to the sidelines first, but are ready for the spotlight when called upon. Its symbolic meaning pertains to waiting for an upcoming opportunity, chance, or big break.

Is it "a barrel of laughs" or "a pint of laughs"?

Barrel

Pint

Ounce

Pound

Since a barrel is definitely larger than a pint container, the proper expression is "a barrel of laughs," which refers to a major source of amusement. However, the subject of amusement can also be an ironic or sarcastic reference, so the phrase can be used in this vein as well.

How can you "drive someone nuts"?

Test their food for allergens

Bring them to a farm

Behave in a way that will make them "go crazy"

Eat dirty snacks with them

When someone says, "You drive me nuts," it means you are making them a little bit "crazy," or they feel crazy interacting with you. This common phrase often has a negative connotation, although, it can also be positive, as when someone drives another person "crazy" in love.

"Better ______ than never!" Do you know the missing word?

Wait

Here

Late

Today

"Better late than never" is a very common phrase that is often heard when someone arrives at a meeting or appointment after the designated time. It's often used with a tone of sarcasm, focusing more on the lateness than the fact the person showed up at all.​

What does "bells and whistles" signify?

Church-sponsored sports events

Navy ships are docking.

Embellishments that are often unnecessary

Surrendering enemies

"Bells and whistles" pertain to anything that is added onto something, like decorations that are pretty and attractive to look at, but do not necessarily have any value that comes along with their addition.

A person who "doesn't lift a finger" is said to be what?

Lacking in inspiration

A so-called "mama's boy"

Physically tired

Doing nothing

When someone "doesn't lift a finger," it means the person is not doing anything or taking any action, often as a form of protest or as a way to drive home a point. In this light, the phrase is not necessarily about being lazy, though it can also connote that, depending on how it's said or used.

To go "against the grain," what do you need to do?

Help a farmer during harvest season

Comb in the direction of the hair's growth

Defy the usual expectations or course of action

Become a vegetarian

When someone "goes with the flow," it means they are doing what others are doing, since it's also expected of them. But when someone goes "against the grain," they are doing the exact opposite and are doing things that defy the usual expectations.

When "too many cooks spoil the broth," what just happened?

The city has a water shortage

The kitchen was infested with rats

Many workers ineffectively executed a task

Several layoffs in a multinational company

A think tank is a group of experts who usually gather to create or outline a course of action for a project. But sometimes, too many experts can produce slipshod work, and this is what "too many cooks spoil the broth" means.

If you "got carried away," what happened to you?

Spoke with a stranger on the street

Got caught in the rain

Lost control due to excitement

Just got married

Someone can "get carried away" when the feeling of utmost excitement washes over them. Sometimes, this can also be used to pertain to being a bit absentminded and not minding the time that passed since one is so immersed in a particular activity.

"In a heartbeat" pertains to what kind of reaction?

A surprised one

A long-delayed one

A hurtful one

An immediate one

To do things "in a heartbeat" means one doesn't think or take time to react, and just acts immediately, like how one heartbeat would immediately follow another in rapid succession. To do things in a heartbeat means you're also very open and willing to do something for someone.

What do you need to do in order to "get with the program"?

Climb up the corporate ladder

Enroll in college

Work with the latest update and development

Be gender-neutral

Another way of saying "go with the flow" is "get with the program." The difference is that the former appears rather passive while the latter appears more active, suggesting that the person should keep themselves up to speed with updates or developments they need to be informed about immediately.

"Armed to the teeth" describes someone who demonstrates what kind of characteristic?

Being a rumormonger

Being very prepared

Being lax

Being always hungry

To be "armed to the teeth" originally meant to be very well-equipped in times of battle, so one brought a lot of ammunition and gear. Outside of war scenarios, though, this phrase can be used to pertain to someone who came very much prepared for an event or activity.

Ominous signs are obvious when the writing is "seen" where?

In the air

On paper

In the water

On the wall

To say that "the writing is on the wall" means something bad might be happening very soon, and the situation doesn't look so good for someone or something in particular. It's like a bad sign or omen, a portent of scary or negative things yet to come.

When you "play your cards right," what can be the result?

Loss of money

A new musical composition

Winning or succeeding

Being bumped to first class

The phrase, "play your cards right," sounds like you're gambling, since it also pertains to doing specific things or actions that can lead you to win something or succeed. So outside of gambling, the phrase also means the same.​

If your "hands are tied," what are you incapable of doing?

Sleeping

Anything within your purview

Dining out alone

Scratching your nose

When you are incapable of helping someone in need, you can say that your "hands are tied" because you won't be able to do anything within your scope of influence. But sometimes, people also use this phrase as an excuse not to do something specific for someone.

Do you know what happens "at the 11th hour"?

Death

Earthquakes

The clock strikes aloud

A last-minute decision or action

Things that happen "at the 11th hour" are usually last-minute decisions that took a long time to put forward or execute. This phrase can refer to many industries and domains, such as when doing business or during political scenarios.

To "pay lip service" is to do what?

French kiss someone

Badmouth someone

Verbally express hypocritical support

Ask for forgiveness in person

People who merely "pay lip service" initially speak out in support of a worthy cause or movement, for instance, but they are not very sincere about what they said. In a way, their verbal support was hypocritical.

What can happen if you "let bygones be bygones"?

Your romantic partner will break up with you.

Mosquitoes will die.

A more peaceful coexistence

You can get rich quickly.

To have a more peaceful coexistence, it is suggested to "let bygones be bygones." This means the two conflicting or warring parties should forget about their differences, junk their opposition and angry feelings for each other, and just move on.

A person who "carries the torch" for someone is doing what?

Exacting revenge

Arson-related activities

Still loving someone, even if it's a futile effort

Working at a menial job for someone who pays low

"To carry the torch" for a particular person means the torch-carrier is hopelessly in love with that person, even if the feeling is obviously not mutual. The torch-bearer can either be someone who had a previous relationship with their perceived beloved, or someone who didn't.

When something was "right under your nose" the entire time, what does it indicate?

You've got a cold and a ​fever.

You didn't notice something obvious.​

You forgot your wallet.

You want to run away.

When something is "right under your nose," it means something should have been very obvious, yet you still missed it. The phrase can refer to both tangible things (like your car keys) and intangible concepts (like not being able to sniff out corruption).

If you are "in your element," are you enjoying what you're doing?

Yes!

No

Not really, since it's a requirement

It's hard to decide.

To be "in your element" means you are very much at home with whatever it is you are doing, and you are very satisfied, happy, and in charge of things. This phrase can refer to the pursuit of leisurely activities, artistic hobbies, or even the execution of a job or professional work.

A buddy who tells you to "have one for the road" is inviting you to do what?

Take a trip with your friend

Forget about the past

Kiss and make up

Have one last drink before leaving

When you have been spending some time with a buddy just talking, hanging out, and drinking a little (or a lot), and one of you has to go, the other would say,​ "Let's have one for the road." This signifies both of you having one last drink before parting ways.

About This Quiz

People have various reasons for using idiomatic expressions. What's yours?

Using idioms makes speaking more colorful. And with their daily usage over the centuries, these idioms have had their meanings transformed. To take them literally is a huge mistake. Their original meanings, no matter how literal, do not apply to modern usage anymore. Since these idiomatic expressions already became common phrases used in everyday language, they now serve a different purpose.

Aside from making our language or word usage very colorful, these common phrases can also disguise some of the things we intend to say to someone. To disguise here means to not say things directly, especially if it will sound confrontational or hurtful. For example, if you want to say you're losing patience, you can use the idiomatic expression "that's the last straw." This is somewhat connected to the saying "the straw that broke the camel's back" which pertains to the last contributing factor to someone's breakdown or someone getting very angry.

With so many of these common phrases being used over and over, can you tell what they really mean? Come on; this is going to be a piece of cake!

Good luck!

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